Fluid extraction apparatus and wire line tension detection system

ABSTRACT

A fluid extraction apparatus for raising and lowering a canister assembly into a well, the fluid extraction apparatus includes an extractor operation assembly for raising and lowering a canister assembly. The canister assembly is raised and lowered into a well via wire line. The fluid extraction apparatus further including a wire line tension detection system to detect a slack condition in the wire line and send a signal responsive to the slack condition to the extractor operation assembly. A method for controlling the fluid extraction apparatus includes the step of lowering the canister assembly into the well via the wire line and running the wire line through the wire line tension detection system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Application having U.S. Ser. No. 62/518,675, filed Jun. 13, 2017, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a fluid extraction apparatus for withdrawing oil or other fluids from a well. Furthermore, the fluid extraction apparatus includes a wire line tension detection system for determining when a canister assembly has reached the fluid to be extracted from the well. The present disclosure also relates to a system for monitoring and operating the fluid extraction apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Fluid extraction systems are incorporated to remove oil or other fluids from a well. Typically, wire line is used to lower canister assemblies down into the well. Various problems are encountered because operators cannot be sure when the canister assembly contacts the oil or fluid in the well. One problem encountered is slack in the wire line when the canister assembly reaches the oil or fluid in the well and stops descending in the well at the same speed the wire line is descending. The slack can build up quickly and lead to problems.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that can monitor the wire line and detect any slack that begins and stop the wire line from descending further into the well.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed toward a fluid extraction apparatus for raising and lowering a canister assembly into a well. The fluid extraction apparatus includes an extractor operation assembly for raising and lowering a canister assembly. The canister assembly is raised and lowered into a well via wire line. The fluid extraction apparatus further including a wire line tension detection system to detect a slack condition in the wire line and send a signal responsive to the slack condition to the extractor operation assembly.

The present disclosure is also directed toward a method for controlling the fluid extraction apparatus. The method includes the step of lowering the canister assembly into the well via the wire line and running the wire line through the wire line tension detection system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a fluid extraction apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a portion of the fluid extraction apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of another portion of the fluid extraction apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4C are perspective views of a wire line tension detection system incorporated in the the fluid extraction apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slack condition in the wire line tension detection system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a fluid extraction apparatus 10 for removing oil, or other fluids, from a well. Referring now to FIG. 1, the fluid extraction apparatus 10 includes an extractor operation assembly 12 for lowering and raising (and providing operational aspects to the fluid extraction apparatus 10) a canister assembly 14 down into a well via a wire line 16. The fluid extraction apparatus 10 also includes a wire line tension detection system 18 to determine when the canister assembly 14 contacts fluid in the well. The wire line 16 can be a metallic rope with a coating disposed thereon. The extraction apparatus 10 can include any known components that make a traditional extraction apparatus 10 operate reliably.

The extractor operation assembly 10 controls the feed out wire line 16 to lower the canister assembly 14 into the well. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the extractor operation assembly 12 can include numerous common components (mechanical and electrical) used to control the movement and operation of the canister assembly 14. The numerous components of the extractor operation assembly include, but are not limited to, programmable logic controllers 20 (includes memory and operational software), variable frequency drives 22, a winch drive motor 24, a power supply 26, circuit breaker overload switches 28, solid state relays 30, control panel 32 (which can be a touch screen and consist of multiple panels), enclosures 34 for various components, and the like.

The extractor operation assembly 12 can also include a speed reducer transmission 36, an interval disc 38 mounted to the speed reducer 36 and an idler pulley 40 that work together to feed the wire line 16 from the extractor operation assembly 12 through the wire line tension detection system 18 and lower the canister assembly 14 down into the well. These components also work together to lift the canister assembly 14 out of the well. The extractor operation assembly 12 can include any type of component known in the art for controlling the operation and movement of canister assemblies 14.

The canister assembly 14, shown in more detail in FIG. 3, includes a housing 42 that includes a first housing portion 44, a second housing portion 46 and a transition portion 47. The first housing portion 44 has an opening 48 disposed therein to permit fluid to flow therein. The first housing portion 44 can contain a strainer element 50 disposed therein. The strainer element 50 can include openings 52 disposed therein strain the fluid entering the canister assembly 14.

Fluid flows into and through the first housing portion 44 of the canister assembly housing 42 and into the transition portion 47 of the housing 42. The transition portion 47 includes a passageway 56 with a valve 58 positioned therein. The valve 58 is open when fluid is flowing into and through the first housing portion 44. The open valve 58 in the transition portion 47 allows fluid to flow from the first housing portion 44 into the second housing portion 46, which is a fluid storage container. In one embodiment, the valve 58 can be a check valve that is opened when fluid is pulled through the transition portion 47 of the housing 42. The canister assembly 14 can also include a pump suction line 60 that pulls the fluid through the first housing portion 44 and the transition portion 47 into the second portion 46 (fluid storage container).

When the canister assembly 14 is lowered into the well by the extractor operation assembly 12 via the wire line 16 and encounters fluid in the well, the canister assembly 14 will not descend as fast as it was previously, but the wire line 16 will continue to be let out by the extractor operation assembly 12. The wire line 16 continuing to feed into the well at a speed higher than the canister assembly is descending, which is descending slower due to contact with the fluid in the well, can cause a myriad of issues. The wire line tension detection system 18 of the fluid extraction apparatus 10 can determine when slack in the wire line 16 begins and cause the extractor operation assembly 12 to stop feeding out the wire line 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, the wire line tension detection system 18 includes a tunnel element 62 that the wire line passes through. The tunnel element 62 having a top end 64, a bottom end 66, and a sidewall 68. The wire line tension detection system 18 further includes a first proximity sensor 70 supported by the sidewall 68 of the tunnel element 62 to detect the location of the wire line 16 passing through the tunnel element 62 and at least one magnet 72 supported by the sidewall 68 opposite of the first proximity sensor 70. It should be understood and appreciated that the tunnel element 62 can be one single piece, or constructed of multiple pieces to make up the tunnel element 62.

The wire line tension detection system 18 can also include securing apparatuses 76 for securing the wire line tension detection system 18 inside an extractor housing 78 that encapsulates the components of the extractor operation assembly 12.

In use, the wire line 16 passes through a predetermined location of the tunnel element 18 such that the first proximity sensor 70 can detect the location of the wire line 16. Typically, the wire line 16 is positioned close to the first proximity sensor. As shown in FIG. 5, if the wire line 16 begins to slacken, the at least one magnet 72 will pull the wire line 16 towards the at least one magnet 72 and away from the first proximity sensor 70. This will cause a signal to be sent to the extractor operation assembly 12 that the wire line 16 is slacking and stop the wire line 16 from being extended further into the well. The signal from the first proximity sensor 70 can be sent to the proper components of the extractor operation assembly 12 via a hard line communication link or via a wireless communication link.

In one embodiment, the first proximity sensor 70 will stop sensing the wire line 16 once it gets a certain distance from the first proximity sensor 70. Once an appropriate amount of time has passed, the canister assembly 14 can be pulled back up to have the fluid in the canister assembly 14 removed therefrom before lowering the canister assembly 14 back into the wellbore. It should be understood and appreciated that the at least one magnet 72 can be comprised of multiple magnets disposed on various parts of the tunnel element 62. The canister assembly 14 can hit little snags when being lowered into the well, which causes the canister assembly 14 to momentarily pause its descent. The extractor operation assembly 12 detects these momentary pauses because the wire line 16 is pulled away from the first proximity sensor 70 via the magnet(s) 70. The extractor operation assembly 12 can be designed to only stop the descent of the canister assembly 14 if the wire line 16 is not detected for longer than a certain amount of time. In one embodiment, the extractor operation assembly 12 will stop the descent of the canister assembly 14 only if detection of the wire line 16 by the first proximity sensor 70 is for more than one second. In another embodiment, the extractor operation assembly 12 will stop the descent of the canister assembly 14 only if detection of the wire line 16 by the first proximity sensor 70 is for more than 500 milliseconds.

In another embodiment, the wire line tension detection system 18 can include a second proximity sensor 74 disposed on the opposite side of the tunnel element 62 from the first proximity sensor 70. In this embodiment, the first proximity sensor 70 will shut off when the wire line 16 gets pulled away from the first proximity sensor 70 a certain distance by the at least one magnet 72 and the second proximity sensor 74 will turn on and signal that a slacking situation has occurred. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4C, additional proximity sensors 72 a and 74 a can be employed for redundancy purposes.

The present disclosure is also directed toward an application that can be downloaded on a personal computer device (such as a cell phone or tablet) that can monitor and control the operational aspects of the fluid extraction apparatus 10. The app includes all necessary software to make it work properly with the personal computer devices. The personal computer devices include the necessary computer hardware, such as memory, processors, and any other components necessary and known in the art, and software to operate the application that monitors and controls the fluid extraction apparatus 10. The extractor operation assembly 12 and personal computer devices also containing any necessary hardware and software to facilitate wireless communications between the personal computer devices via the application and the extractor operation assembly 12.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for controlling the fluid extraction apparatus and monitoring the wire line 16 via the wire line tension detection system 18 and operating/controlling the fluid extraction apparatus 10 based on the position of the wire line 16 in the wire line tension detection system 18. The method also includes sending and receiving information to/from the personal computer devices and to/from the extractor operation assembly 12. The information sent and received can be operational commands sent to the fluid extraction apparatus 10 or operational data from the fluid extraction apparatus 10.

When the canister assembly 14 is stopped by the extractor operation assembly 12, the extractor operation assembly 12 will pull in the slack created by the canister assembly 14 hitting the fluid in the well. After the slack is pulled in, the extractor operation assembly 12 will let out the canister assembly 14 a certain amount to place it a desired depth in the fluid in the well. The amount the extractor operation assembly 12 reels in the wire line 16 when a stop situation occurs depends on the speed the wire line 16 was being let out. Similarly, the amount the extractor operation assembly 12 then lets out the canister assembly 14 after the slack has been taken in can depend on the length of the canister assembly 14.

From the above description, it is clear that the present disclosure is well adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the disclosure. While presently preferred embodiments have been described herein, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the disclosure and claims. 

1. A fluid extraction apparatus for raising and lowering a canister assembly into a well, the fluid extraction apparatus comprising: an extractor operation assembly for raising and lowering a canister assembly, the canister assembly raised and lowered into a well via wire line; and a wire line tension detection system to detect a slack condition in the wire line and send a signal responsive to the slack condition to the extractor operation assembly.
 2. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wire line tension detection system includes a first proximity sensor to determine the wire line is in a predetermined location.
 3. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wire line tension detection system includes at least one magnet to pull the wireline in a direction away from the first proximity sensor when the slack condition occurs.
 4. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 2 wherein the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the first proximity sensor determines that the wire line is not in the predetermined location.
 5. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 4 wherein the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the first proximity sensor determines that the wire line is not in the predetermined location for more than one second.
 6. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 4 wherein the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the first proximity sensor determines that the wire line is not in the predetermined location for more than 500 milliseconds.
 7. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wire line tension detection system includes a second proximity sensor positioned so that the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the second proximity sensor detects the presence of the wire line.
 8. The fluid extraction apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a controller, memory and software capable of relaying operational conditions and wire line position to a personal computer device and receiving operational commands from the personal computer device.
 9. A method for controlling a fluid extraction apparatus, the method comprising: lowering a canister assembly into a well via a wire line; and running the wire line through a wire line tension detection system.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of monitoring the wire line running through the wire line tension detection system, the wire line tension detection system sending a signal to an extractor operation assembly when a slack condition occurs.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of stopping the descent of the canister assembly into the well when the slack condition occurs.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of sending a communication to a personal computer device that includes operational data of the fluid extraction apparatus or sending a communication to a personal computer device that a slack condition has occurred.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of receiving a communication from the personal computer device with operational commands for the fluid extraction apparatus to execute.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the wire line tension detection system includes a first proximity sensor to determine the wire line is in a predetermined location.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the wire line tension detection system includes at least one magnet to pull the wireline in a direction away from the first proximity sensor when the slack condition occurs.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the first proximity sensor determines that the wire line is not in the predetermined location.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the first proximity sensor determines that the wire line is not in the predetermined location for more than one second.
 18. The method extraction apparatus of claim 16 wherein the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the first proximity sensor determines that the wire line is not in the predetermined location for more than 500 milliseconds.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the wire line tension detection system includes a second proximity sensor positioned so that the extractor operation assembly stops lowering the canister assembly when the second proximity sensor detects the presence of the wire line. 